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The Firstborn Is Dead is the second album released by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. It was first released in 1985. Nick Cave took his obsession with the American South a bit further on this record, with its references to Elvis Presley and bluesmen like Blind Lemon Jefferson. The photography is by Jutta Heinglein.
The album's name is a reference to Jesse Garon Presley, the stillborn identical twin of Elvis Presley.
[edit] Track listing
All lyrics by Nick Cave
- "Tupelo" – 7:17 (Adamson, Harvey)
- "Say Goodbye to the Little Girl Tree" – 5:10 (Harvey)
- "Train Long-Suffering" – 3:49 (Cave)
- "Black Crow King" – 5:05 (Bargeld, Cave)
- "Knockin' on Joe" – 7:38 (Cave)
- "Wanted Man" – 5:27 (Bob Dylan)
- "Blind Lemon Jefferson" – 6:10 (Adamson, Bargeld, Harvey, Cave)
- "The Six Strings that Drew Blood" – 4:50 (CD only)
- "Tupelo" (single version) – 5:01 (CD only)
[edit] The songs
- "Tupelo" is loosely based on the John Lee Hooker song of the same title, which is about a flood in Tupelo, Mississippi (Hooker's song appears on Original Seeds). Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Cave's song incorporates imagery of the birth of Elvis and the apocalypse at the second coming of Christ.
- "Wanted Man" evolved from a song composed by Bob Dylan and recorded by Johnny Cash. Cave was granted permission to alter the lyrics. Cave's lyrics include references to his friends, such as photographer Polly Borland.
[edit] Credits
[edit] Personnel
- Nick Cave – Vocals, Harmonica
- Barry Adamson - Bass, Guitar, Organ, Drums, Backing Vocals
- Blixa Bargeld - Guitar, Slide Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Mick Harvey – Drums, Piano, Guitar, Organ, Bass, Backing Vocals
